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US declares that it will launch satellites
In celebration of the International Geophysical Year, a time of scientific exchange between nations following cold war tensions, the US announced that it would launch a series of satellites.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_Race -
Soviet Union announces space program
Fearful that their capitalist enemies will surpass them in technology, the Soviet Union says that it too intends to put a series of satellites in orbit. This announcement marks the start of the space race, as the world's superpowers race to the stars.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_Race -
Eisenhower recommends a space agency
President Eisenhower sends a draft of legislation to congress calling for the establishment of a government space agency. Eisenhower worried that if such an agency didn't exist, the american space program would go nowhere.
https://library.cqpress.com/cqalmanac/document.php?id=cqal58-1340016 -
Sputnik is launched, space age dawns
The Soviet Union successfully launches the first man made satellite into Earth's orbit, Sputnik I, beating the Americans. This event also marks the beginning of the space age.
https://history.nasa.gov/sputnik/ -
Sputnik 2
Sputnik 2 launches, becoming the second craft in orbit. Sputnik 2 is the first satellite to carry a living organism into orbit, a dog named Liaka who died in space.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sputnik_2 -
Nikita Khrushchev announces missile superiority
The premiere of the Soviet Union challenges the US to a rocket shooting match to see who has better weapons. This escalates American fears and adds more fuel to the rocket technology effort.
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/nikita-khrushchev-challenges-united-states-to-a-missile-shooting-match -
Project Vanguard Failiure
The first effort by the US to place a satellite in orbit was a complete failure. Upon launch the Vanguard TV3 rocket booster fell back to earth and exploded on the launch pad, ruining the probe and damaging the launch pad. Newspapers of the time dubbed the failure "kuputnik."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vanguard_TV3 -
Explorer 1
The US successfully launches their first satellite into orbit. Explorer 1 becomes the first satellite to carry science instruments. Even after the success of the launch, the Americans are worried they are lagging behind their soviet counterparts.
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/explorer/explorer-overview.html -
NASA is founded
Congress pass legislation created by Eisenhower, establishing the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, NASA. With the US still reeling from being beaten to launching the first satellite, the establishment of the organization gives renewed hope.
https://www.nasa.gov/exploration/whyweexplore/Why_We_29.html -
Project Mercury is approved
Congress approves a program to put a man in space, dubbed Project mercury. The program consisted of a seven astronauts and a NASA task group.
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/mercury/missions/program-toc.html -
Woods Hole conference
Conference held by the US shortly after the Soviets launched the Sputnik probes. Discussed how the US was lagging behind in science and mathematics education. Marked the beginning of improved education in US.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Woods_Hole_Conference -
Explorer 6
The US launches a satellite containing various instruments designed to study radiation trapped in Earth's atmosphere. The satellite is the first to take a picture of Earth from orbit.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Explorer_6 -
Luna 2
Lunar probe launched by the Soviet Union, one day later it becomes the first object to impact the moon
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luna_2 -
JFK takes office
John F. Kennedy is inaugurated as the 35th president of the United States. JFK originally opposed the idea of manned space exploration, but soon changed his mind when the Soviets continued to make advances that worried the US.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_F._Kennedy -
Venera 1
The soviets launch Venera 1, a satellite that was intended to orbit Venus. The probe becomes the first man made object to fly by Venus, the probe also confirmed the presence of a solar wind.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venera_1 -
Vostok 1
The Soviet Union becomes the first country to successfully get a man to space, Yuri Gagarin. Gagarin completed one orbit of the earth before returning to the surface.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_Race -
JFK sets eyes on the moon
JFK addresses a special joint session of congress, stating that they will overtake the USSR in the space race, and that the United States would land a man on the moon.
https://history.nasa.gov/moondec.html -
Mercury-Atlas 6 Launch
John Glenn pilots the Friendship 7 into orbit, completing 3 full rotations of the planet. Glenn becomes the first American to orbit the earth
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercury-Atlas_6 -
Ariel 1
The first satellite launched by the United Kingdom. Constructed in the US and launched at Cape Canaveral the rocket was part of a joint research operation to study the ionosphere.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ariel_1 -
Mariner 2
US satellite that became the first to successfully reach another planet. The probe was sent to Venus, where it measured Venus's temperature from orbit. Mariner 2 also helped confirm the existence of solar wind.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mariner_2 -
Alouette 1
First ever Canadian satellite and first satellite designed and launched by a country other than the Soviet Union and the United States. Designed to study the ionosphere, one of the uppermost layers of the atmosphere.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alouette_1 -
Vostok 6
The final flight in the Vostok missions. The goal was to study the effects of space on the female body. The flight marked the first time a woman was in space. Cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova orbited the Earth 48 times before returning.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vostok_6 -
JFK is assasinated
The president of the United States is assassinated by Lee Harvey Oswald in Dallas Texas. Lyndon B. Johnson takes office, remains steadfast to space.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_F._Kennedy -
San Marco 1
First Italian satellite, first satellite built and launched independent of the US and USSR. Carried instruments to study the Earth's surface and the atmosphere. It's orbit eventually decayed and it fell to Earth.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Marco_1 -
Voskhod 2
Soviet mission to space carrying 2 cosmonauts. Made history when Alexey Leonov became the first person to perform a space walk, leaving the capsule and floating in space for 12 minutes.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voskhod_2 -
Gemini 3
First manned Gemini mission was launched. The goal of the mission was to test the new Gemini craft, the mission was a success and the crew were recovered from the ocean upon landing.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gemini_3 -
Venera 3
Soviet probe designed to explore the surface of Venus. Communications with the probe were lost and the satellite probably crashed into the surface of Venus.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venera_3 -
Asterix
First satellite launched by France. Purpose of the satellite was to test the capability of the Diamant A rocket. The probe carried no scientific instruments.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ast%C3%A9rix_(satellite) -
Sergei Korolev dies
The head engineer of the soviet space program dies due to cancer, causing setbacks in Russian spaceflight.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sergei_Korolev -
Luna 9
The Soviet Luna 9 probe is launched, and lands on the moon four days later. The craft was the first ever to successfully land on a foreign celestial body without damaging any equipment on board. The probe sent images back to earth.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luna_9 -
Outer space treaty is signed
A treaty outlining the rules regarding activities in space is signed, most notably the treaty states that no country can claim a foreign space object as their own, also forbid the use of weapons of mass destruction in space. The treaty's full name is The Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Outer_Space_Treaty -
Soyuz 1
The first launch of the soviet Soyuz rocket as part of the USSR space program. The mission was mostly a test, entering orbit then coming back to the surface quickly. On the descent the modules parachute failed killing Vladimir Komarov, the first death related with space flight.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soyuz_1 -
Apollo 1 disaster
During a launch test the command module of the Apollo 1 rocket caught fire, killing all three crew members. As a result all manned Apollo missions were suspended for 20 months.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_1#Launch_Complex_34 -
Zond 5
Soviet ship that becomes the second craft to orbit the moon and return to earth. Although the craft was unmanned it carried on it two Russian tortoises.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zond_5 -
Apollo 8 launch
The Apollo 8 mission is launched, carrying three astronauts on their way to the moon.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_8 -
First lunar orbit
The Apollo 8 astronauts successfully reach the moon, orbiting it a total of three times. The mission becomes the first to leave low orbit around earth, and the first manned mission in lunar orbit.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_8 -
Apollo 11 launch
The fifth manned Apollo mission is successfully launched, carrying Neil Armstrong, Micheal Collins, and Buzz Aldrin to the moon. The mission was launched from the Kennedy Space Center, propelled by the Saturn V rocket booster.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_11 -
Moon landing
The Apollo 11 spacecraft reaches the moon, Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong land the lunar module on the moon's surface in the sea of tranquility. Armstrong becomes the first human to set foot on the moon. The crew successfully returns to earth 4 days later.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_11 -
Osumi
First satellite launched by Japan. Japan becomes the fourth country to get to space independently. The satellite studied the geology of Earth and it's atmosphere.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C5%8Csumi_(satellite) -
Dong Fang Hong 1
First satellite launched by the Chinese. Carried no scientific instruments, but broadcast a pro-China song for 20 days until the batteries failed.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dong_Fang_Hong_I -
Salyut 1
The Soviet Union launch the first space station ever into orbit. The station was used to study Earth and other stars. The two only crews the station housed had to abort their missions early due to unforeseen flaws, one of the crews died upon re-entry due to a pressure leak, resulting in the death's of three cosmonauts.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salyut_1 -
Mars 3
The Mars 3 mission is launched by the Soviet Union, the goal of the mission was to successfully land a craft carrying science instruments and cameras on the surface of mars.
https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraftDisplay.do?id=1971-049F -
Prospero
Satellite launched by the UK to study the effects space had on communications satellites. Prospero was the first satellite to be placed in orbit successfully by a British rocket.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prospero_(satellite) -
Mars 3 landing
The Mars 3 descent module successfully lands on the martian surface and begins transmitting data back to Earth. The lander transmitted data for 15 seconds before ceasing transmission for unknown reasons, even though it wasn't a complete success it was still the first craft to complete a soft landing on mars.
https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraftDisplay.do?id=1971-049F -
Skylab
The United States launches it's first ever space station. The Skylab was equipped with facilities to study space in orbit. The mission was the last one to use the infamous Atlas V rocket. The station fell back to earth six years later after its orbit decayed.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skylab -
JAXA is founded
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency is founded, becoming the current Japanese space agency. The agency is currently involved in launching satellites and exploring asteroids.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/JAXA -
Mariner 10
US space probe designed to study Mercury's atmosphere. The mission was the first to utilize gravity assists from other planets.
The probe successfully finished its mission and lasted for 2 years. Mariner 10 was the last Mariner mission.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mariner_10 -
Aryabhata
First Indian satellite is launched aboard a USSR rocket. Primary goal was to gain experience building probes for the Indian scientists. The satellite carried various astrophysics tools. The probe failed after 60 orbits.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aryabhata_(satellite) -
Handshake in space
Astronaut Thomas Stafford shakes hands with cosmonaut Alexey Leonov, hoping to ease tensions between the two nations. The event marks the first cooperative effort between the US and USSR.
https://www.nasa.gov/topics/history/features/astp17.html -
Hipparcos
The first satellite completely devoted to the measurements of the positions of stars and planets is launched by the European Space Agency. Hipparcos cataloged over 100,000 celestial bodies in the four years it was in use.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hipparcos -
Rosetta
Space probe launched by the European Space Agency, became the first man made object to successfully land on a comet.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rosetta_(spacecraft) -
First Protest in Space
The Autonomous Space Agency Network, ASAN for short, hosts the first space protest. A message, intended for President Trump was attached to a weather balloon. The message was a quote from late American astronaut Edgar Michell reading "Look at that you son of a bitch!" Michelle said this while looking at Earth from the moon, expressing his disdain for how politicians see the world.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_space_exploration
